SaurabhMashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. They are easy to make, super flavorful, and can be served alongside many other foods, such as meats or vegetables.
One of the main ingredients when making mashed potatoes are different kinds of milk, as they help the potatoes reach a creamier, smoother consistency.
However, if you don’t have milk or prefer a non-dairy product, you can use substitutes that will give the same results.
Below is a list of suitable substitutes for milk in mashed potatoes.
Best Substitutes for Milk in Mashed Potatoes
The following substitutes can help you successfully replace regular milk in mashed potatoes and obtain similar results.
1. Heavy cream
Heavy cream is frequently used to make mashed potatoes instead of milk. So, you can definitely substitute milk for heavy cream.
This will yield you a much richer, creamier mashed potato, ideal for special occasions. You can also use plant-based heavy cream if you prefer. Start off by using the same amount of heavy cream as milk.
You will get a super smooth and creamy mashed potato, with a much richer flavor.
2. Yogurt
If you like heavy cream but want to stick to the lighter side, try replacing it with yogurt.
Yogurt has a tangy flavor. However, you will not detect it in mashed potatoes. Instead, you will notice a lovely, creamy flavor without the richness of the heavy cream.
You can use natural yogurt. However, if you want rich creamy mashed potatoes, use Greek yogurt instead. Use the same amount of yogurt as milk and add more if needed.
You can also use plant-based yogurt if you prefer to keep your mashed potatoes dairy-free.
3. Butter
The best way to make your mashed potatoes creamy and blended is to use butter.
Usually, when making mashed potatoes, you use milk and butter. However, you can use butter only instead. Add about half the amount of butter as milk and stir in for a smooth consistency and creamy, rich taste. You can add more if needed.
If you want a dairy-free option, you can use dairy-free butter. It will yield the same results. Avoid using nut butter like almond and peanut butter because they will alter the taste and consistency of your mashed potatoes, and will ruin the recipe.
4. Almond milk
Almond milk is popular plant-based milk and is available in most supermarkets, making it super easy to find.
If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative to milk, almond milk is a great one because it will add a creamy consistency to the mashed potatoes and not add a nutty flavor.
You can use the same amount of almond milk as standard milk. You can even add a bit of vegan butter for extra flavor.
5. Soya milk
Soya milk is brilliant to use if you want to make your recipe dairy-free and nut-free, and it is also available in most supermarkets.
Soya milk has a mild flavor and creamy texture, making it a great dairy-free substitute for milk in mashed potatoes. You can use the same amount of soya milk as regular milk.
Make sure to use unsweetened soya milk so that it doesn’t alter the flavor of your final product. You can also add butter to this to add richness and flavor to your mashed potatoes.
6. Oat milk
Oat milk is one of the best options for plant-based milk when making mashed potatoes because it is incredibly creamy. It is also vegan and nut-free.
Opt milk does not have much flavor. However, it does have a very creamy consistency that will make it a great dairy-free substitute for regular milk in mashed potatoes. You can use the same amount of oat milk as regular milk.
Make sure to also buy unsweetened and unflavored oat milk so that it doesn’t alter the flavor of your mashed potatoes.
7. Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a much thicker, tangier version of regular milk, and is popular to marinate chicken in. It is also a great addition to mashed potatoes as it adds a lot of creaminess, richness, and a slightly tangy flavor which goes really well with the potatoes.
Start by adding about half the amount of buttermilk to regular milk, as it is thicker. Then, add more as needed. You will get a super creamy mashed potato with a unique flavor.
You can also make vegan buttermilk by adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to 1 cup of plant milk and leaving it to sit for 15 minutes.
8. Sour cream
Sour cream is another product that is frequently used when making mashed potatoes. It is also one that is available in all grocery stores, so it’s a good alternative to milk.
Like yogurt and buttermilk, sour cream is much thicker. So, if you’re looking to substitute it, add about half the amount of sour cream as you would milk and add more if needed.
Sour cream will give your mashed potatoes a rich, creamy taste and silky smooth texture, so it’s definitely one of the best substitutes for milk to try out.
9. Broth
If you’re looking for another dairy-free substitute for milk, the broth is a great one.
You can either use chicken, vegetable, or beef broth, depending on your preference, and not only will this help to make a smoother consistency, but it will also help to add lots of flavor to your mashed potatoes.
Start out with about a ladle at a time and add more if necessary. If you add a lot, your mashed potatoes will turn out too salty. To add some richness, you can also stir in some butter.
10. Evaporated milk
Evaporated milk can be found in your grocery store and is a brilliant pantry staple because it can be kept for a long time without going bad.
It is much thicker and richer than regular milk. Thus, it will add richness and flavor to your mashed potatoes. You can add the same amount of evaporated milk as regular milk.
However, start by adding ¾ of the amount first, and then adding more if needed, in order to not alter the flavor.
11. Starchy water
If you don’t want to add any milk but still need something to add to your mashed potatoes, try saving the starchy water that you used for boiling the potatoes.
Adding in a few spoons of the starchy water will help bring the potatoes together, and as it is salted, it will also help to add flavor. You can also add in a bit of butter at the end for some richness if needed.
This is a great way to reuse the water for boiling the potatoes. It is also a dairy-free replacement for milk in mashed potatoes. You will get smooth and flavorful mashed potatoes.
12. Milk powder
Milk powder is another great ingredient to keep as it lasts for a super long time. When mixing it with water, you get milk.
It will add some flavor to your mashed potatoes, as well as creaminess. Start with about a tablespoon of milk powder and about ¼ cups of water, then add more if needed.
Milk powder is a great alternative to milk and will yield a successful mashed potato.
13. Blend your potatoes
If you don’t want to use milk at all, you can just blend the potatoes, or pass them through a fine sieve several times.
This will remove the lumps and blend them together, making a creamy texture without needing any liquid. You might need to add some liquid depending on the consistency you’re after.
However, blending your potatoes or passing them through a fine sieve will yield smoother and creamier mashed potatoes.
Related Questions
How do I make mashed potatoes without milk?
You can easily make mashed potatoes without milk by using one of the ingredients above. Some of the best substitutes include heavy cream, sour cream, plant-based milk, and broth.
If you don’t want to use any liquid, you can try blending your potatoes or passing them through a fine sieve to remove lumps and achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
Can I use water instead of milk for mashed potatoes?
You, however, this is not recommended as the water will only dilute the flavor, and it won’t add a creamier consistency. If you need to use water, try using the water leftover from boiling your potatoes.
That water has starch in it that will help to combine the potatoes. You can also try using broth, which will add flavor to your potatoes.
What can you substitute for milk?
You can use many things instead of milk, as seen in the list above. Some of the best substitutes for milk in mashed potatoes include heavy cream, sour cream, yogurt, broth, vegan milk, etc.
Why do you add milk to mashed potatoes?
Milk is added to mashed potatoes because it helps them mix together.
With milk, mashed potatoes gain a smooth, creamy consistency. It also helps add to that creamy consistency to make the mashed potatoes that we all know and love.
Sometimes butter is added as well to add richness to the mashed potatoes.
